Rafael Nadal had finally some light hearted time on the tennis court. The Spanish Legend played the “fast4 exhibition” in Melbourne to help the Australian Tennis Association to launch the new “fast” format”. The exhibition was played at the renovated Margaret Court Arena in front of 7500 spectators.
Rafa had a “curious” pink outfit (is he going to wear it also for the Australian Open?) and he was all smiles while he was playing local hero Omar Jasika (born in Melbourne and the winner of the US Open in the boys category), Mark Philippoussis and finally Fernando Verdasco.
Rafa’s results.
Nadal dismissed both Jasika and Philippousis with the same score (4-1) and then he prevailed against Verdasco 2-4 4-3 4-3 3-4 4-2.
What’s the Fast4
The Fast4 is a format introduced by tennis Australia to give more pace to tennis. The format has these rules.
1-Matches are played at the best of 5 sets
2- To grab a set you need to win 4 games (not 6)
3- There is the no advantage rule (on 40-all, the winner of the following point gets the game)
4- No Let rule. If the serve hits the net the point goes on like a normal rally
5- There is no tiebreak. The first players that wins is 4th game wins the set. So you can win a set 4-3.
RAFA vs. Philippoussis |
RAFA VS. VERDASCO |
WHAT’S LIFE WITHOUT A SELFIE? |
Thank you for your support at #MCA! A pleasure playing with @FerVerdasco @australianopen https://t.co/LobIEldZZQ pic.twitter.com/vQ2VSPn87H
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 14, 2015
RAFA SMILING AGAIN! |
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